Fronted by punk poet and professional skateboarder Mike Vallely, The Rats have been knocking down doors and turning people onto their music at an accelerated pace. Coming off of tours with bands like CKY, Death By Stereo and Millencolin as well as playing with bands like Black Flag, Rancid, Rufio and Thrice
Formed early in 2002 by guitarist Jason Hampton who’s been in such Orange County defining acts as The Third Degree, Blackspot, Outspoken and The Suppression Swing and drummer PT Pugh from The Suppression Swing, The Rats were looking for a singer to help take their music to more ears, enter Mike Vallely.
Those first three tracks went on to be recorded and produced by Fletcher from Pennywise in February 2001 and were included as a limited edition CD insert "Rats First 3 Songs" in Mike’s award winning and critically acclaimed skateboarding film, "DRIVE" released in May 2002. Right around that same time The Rats started playing live with shows in Southern California and Vancouver, Canada before going into the studio again and recording five tracks for their self-titled CDep and 7" vinyl release on Indecision Records.
In the fall of 2002 just before their debut CD was officially released The Rats joined The Deviates on the Home Invasion Tour and played shows in Northern, Central and Southern California. That tour was an important turning point for the band.
After the Home Invasion Tour bassist Reid Black, who formally played in the metal laced 1134 joined The Rats who had been through two bass players before him (Brian and original Bass player Gish). With their chemistry finally tight and their own original and distinct sound and style emerging the band locked themselves in their practice room and wrote several new songs before joining CKY for a series of sold out Southern and Northern California dates.
Then it was back into the studio to record songs for the soundtrack of Mike’s new video, "Greatest Hits" and a song. "Dehumanized" for a Sessions Records compilation out now entitled "sNOIsES, The Skateboarder Sessions."
Throughout 2003 The Rats were back out on the road playing more sold out dates in Southern California as well as in Arizona, New Mexico and Vegas with bands like CKY, Death By Stereo, Ten Foot Pole, Rufio and Millencolin. From there they went on to support the legendary Greg Ginn as he gigged all over Southern California and to do a mini-tour of Sweden playing with bands like Randy, Thrice and Rancid. In September they opened for the legendary Black Flag reunion show and toured southern and central California with Greg Ginn and 1208.
Songs by Mike V & The Rats can be heard in the video games Tony Hawk's Underground ("The Days"), Tony Hawk's Underground 2 ("Never Give Up"), and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland ("Vendetta").
Never Give Up
Mike V and the Rats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You come around here you forget how to act
Slinging your fiction off of the rack
You put up a front to hide what you lack
I just laugh at your pathetic attack
I'll never give in, I'll never, ever give up
Your role models, they sold you lies
They told you it's cool to drink and get high
It doesn't pay to be someone who buys
Into the hype, open your eyes
I see you, I hear you, I watch your parade
And I see right through the choices you've made
You have no self respect but you're getting paid
There's some things in life I'll never trade
I'll never be bought, I'll never be sold
I'm glad to walk out here in the cold
I don't have time to watch the drama unfold
I've seen enough and it's getting old
I'll never give in, I'll never, ever give up
The lyrics in Mike V and the Rats' song "Never Give Up" are about perseverance and standing up for oneself despite obstacles and naysayers. The opening line "I'll never give in, I'll never, ever give up" sets the tone for the rest of the song, expressing a refusal to quit or waiver in the face of adversity. The verses describe encountering someone who is slinging lies and hiding their own shortcomings by putting up a front. The singer sees through this facade and laughs off the attack, remaining steadfast in their beliefs and values.
The chorus repeats the line "I'll never give in, I'll never, ever give up," emphasizing the message of resilience and determination. The second verse discusses the negative effects of buying into societal pressures and the messages promoted by negative role models. The singer urges the listener to open their eyes and see the truth, rather than blindly following the hype. The bridge reinforces the singer's commitment to their own values, refusing to compromise or be manipulated for financial gain. The final line "I'll never give in, I'll never, ever give up" serves as a strong and inspiring conclusion to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll never give in, I'll never, ever give up
The singer is determined to never surrender or quit.
You come around here you forget how to act
When you are in the singer's presence, you behave inappropriately.
Slinging your fiction off of the rack
You spout made-up stories without any basis in reality.
You put up a front to hide what you lack
You pretend to be something you're not to cover up your shortcomings.
I just laugh at your pathetic attack
The artist finds your attempt at criticism amusing and weak.
Your role models, they sold you lies
The people you look up to have deceived you with falsehoods.
They told you it's cool to drink and get high
Your idols encouraged destructive behavior like alcohol and drug abuse.
It doesn't pay to be someone who buys
It's not beneficial to follow the same misguided path as your role models.
Into the hype, open your eyes
Don't fall for the popular trends, instead see the world for what it is.
I see you, I hear you, I watch your parade
The artist observes your actions and words closely.
And I see right through the choices you've made
The singer understands your poor decisions and sees through your facade.
You have no self respect but you're getting paid
You compromise your dignity for material gain.
There's some things in life I'll never trade
The singer values certain things more than money or status.
I'll never be bought, I'll never be sold
The singer cannot be swayed by bribes or coercion.
I'm glad to walk out here in the cold
The singer prefers the harsh reality of life over the false comforts of deception.
I don't have time to watch the drama unfold
The artist doesn't waste time on unnecessary turmoil.
I've seen enough and it's getting old
The artist is tired of witnessing the same patterns of deceit and betrayal.
Contributed by David D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.